Alopecia - Treatment

Treatment

• Minoxidil (Rogaine): This is a non-prescription medication approved for androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. Minoxidil comes in a liquid or foam that is rubbed into the scalp twice a day. This is the most effective method to treat male-pattern and female-pattern hair loss. However, only 30–40% of patients experience hair growth. Minoxidil is not effective for other causes of hair loss except alopecia areata. Hair regrowth can take 8 to 12 months. Treatment is continued indefinitely because if the treatment is stopped, hair loss resumes again. Most frequent side effects are mild scalp irritation, allergic contact dermatitis, and increased facial hair.
• Finasteride (Propecia): Is used in male-pattern hair loss in a pill form taken on a daily basis. Finasteride is not indicated for women and is not recommended in pregnant women. Treatment is effective within 6 to 8 months of treatment. Side effects include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, gynecomastia, and myopathy. Treatment should be continued as long as positive results occur. Once treatment is stopped, hair loss resumes again.
• Egg Oil: In Indian, Japanese, Unani (Roghan Baiza Murgh) and Chinese traditional medicine, Egg Oil was traditionally used as a treatment for alopecia. Egg Oil is claimed to be effective for hair care since it nourishes the scalp, promotes new hair growth, reduces hair fall and retards premature graying. It also improves the texture of hair making it thicker, reduces dandruff and prevents split ends or damage due to chemical coloring.

• Corticosteroids: Injections of cortisone into the scalp can be used to treat alopecia areata. This type of treatment is repeated on a monthly basis. Physician may prescribe oral pills for extensive hair loss due to alopecia areata. Results may take up to a month to be seen.
• Anthralin (Dritho-Scalp): Available as a cream or ointment that is applied to the scalp and washed off daily. More commonly is used to treat psoriasis. Results may take up to 12 weeks to be seen.
• Hormonal modulators: Oral contraceptives or antiandrogens like spironolactone and flutamide can be used for female-pattern hair loss associated with hyperandrogenemia.
• Surgical options: Treatment options such as follicle transplant, scalp flaps, and alopecia reduction are available. These procedures are generally chosen by those who are self-conscious about their hair loss. These options are expensive and painful. There is a risk of infection and scarring. Once surgery has occurred, it takes 6 to 8 months before the quality of new hair can be assessed.

• Hair transplant: A dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon takes tiny plugs of skin, each which contains a few hairs, and implants the plugs into bald sections. The plugs are generally taken from the back or sides of the scalp. Several transplant sessions may be necessary.
• Scalp reduction: This process is the decreasing of the area of bald skin on the head. In time, the skin on the head becomes flexible and stretched enough that some of it can be surgically removed. After the hairless scalp is removed, the space is closed with hair-covered scalp. Scalp reduction is generally done in combination with hair transplantation to provide a natural-looking hairline, especially those with extensive hair loss.

• Wigs: As an alternative to medical and surgical treatment, some patients wear a wig or hairpiece. They can be used permanently or temporarily to cover the hair loss. Quality, and natural looking wigs and hairpieces are available.
• Dietary Supplement: A dietary supplement, TRX2, is introduced by Oxford BioLabs, after the Oxford Scientists' research on small proteins called "potassium channels". Similar to Minoxidil, TRX2 works by reactivating potassium channels. The treatment contains L-Carntine-tartrate, which has been documented to induce hair growth in humans.
• Nitroxides: A nitroxide spin label, TEMPOL is patented and used for the treatment of hair loss. Currently, there is an ongoing clinical trial using TEMPOL to prevent hair loss due to radiation treatment